FIFA-World-Cup-2014

 

And that’s how it ends, with a whimper. Sad. Onto Russia 2018.

vbHzZzR

 

 

 

 

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This captures the sheer volatility of this world cup –

World Cup Group D

Ha the gravity of Spain’s exit. Fastest elimination of a reigning champion from the cup. And Diego Costa jokes to go with it.

This is what Spain looked like before 2014 world cup –

ESP

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Ochoa in one language means spoil sport. Brazil – 0 Mexico – 0.

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USA! USA! USA! Goal in 30 secs. Sweet revenge.

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Brazil – 3 Croatia – 0; What an opener, well worth the 4 year wait. Neymar is the man, though no hatrick for him. All 4 goals scored by Brazil. Will this Brazil team stack up against no.1 and no.2 ranked Spain and Germany ought to be seen. But the only challenge to Brazil from Group A is now at rest.

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nytimespreview

Group previews from Nytimes

Here are the group previews from NY Times –

On Brazil – “The Seleção has its usual constellation of stars, including the flashy Neymar and the tough-as-nails defender Thiago Silva, and it is coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to its last World Cup victory, in 2002. ”

On Spain – ” The winner of two European titles and one world title since 2008, Spain is saturated with experience – players like Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres – and is looking to become the first team to win consecutive Cups since Brazil in 1958 and ’62.”

On the country that invented the sport – “There is little expectation for England and much debate about whether Wayne Rooney, who has never scored a World Cup goal, should even be in the starting lineup.”

On France – “…but with France, who knows?”

On Argentina – ” Argentina has the attacking talent – Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ángel Di María, Ezequiel Lavezzi – to outscore any team in the field, but in South Africa that formula worked only until the quarterfinals, when Germany shut it down and showed it the door for the second straight Cup.”

On USA – “Some observers – O.K., most observers – think Group G is pretty much the worst draw the United States could have gotten. “

Them Germans – “Germany certainly has the pedigree, with semifinal appearances in the last two tournaments. The Germans will be feeling some time pressure, though, as veterans like Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are probably playing in their final World Cup.”

 

 

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Kick off !

http://youtu.be/qjT4T2gU9sM